Another year has passed - rains have come and gone. More dreams

have been engendered, some have started to take root, others have

already borne flower and fruit. Out of ten faculty members, two

are now Ph.Ds and in one year four have enrolled in Ph.D

programmes. Thus we have been extremely busy in tilling the soil,

sowing new seeds and nourishing then with love and care -

occasionally trimming overgrowth here and there. The time for

another harvest is here and we now wish to share it with you!

Word from the Chair: Highlights

The Department was recently visited by the guest editors Blaine Marchand and Ilona Yousaf of 'Vallum': a special issue of the Canadian journal of poetry, which featured 26 Pakistani poets writing in English on March 8, 2013. The issue celebrates both emerging and established poets including Zulfikar Ghose, Alamgir Hashmi, Waqas Khawaja and Adrian A. Hussain from among senior poets and Moniza Alvi, Shadab Zeest Hashmi, award winning poets from the new generation. The young poets featured include Bilal Tanveer, Kyla Pasha, Sadaf Halai and Mina Farid Malik. During the session, both Yousaf and Marchand read poems from ‘Vallum’, which depicted the rich culture of Pakistan and some of the powerfully engaging experiences of poets living in Pakistan, Canada, America, UK and beyond. During conversation, Ms. Ilona Yousaf strongly recommended the practice of reading among the younger generation to hone their writing skills in both poetry and prose. Marchand was of the view that writing is a source of communicating with people at large, and through a creative medium like poetry Pakistani poets can connect to the world at large and propagate a soft image of Pakistan. The two editors had a lively interaction with the students and faculty.

News LetterAnnual

Department of English Language & Literature, University of the Punjab, Lahore

Sep. 2O12June 2O13

The Department of English participated in the nd22 annual 'Sirajuddin Poetry Recitation

Competition' held on March 7, 2013. The competition is held in honour of two great teachers of English Literature – Professor Sirajuddin and Professor Urmila Sirajuddin. They were inspirational teachers with the rare gift of not only imparting knowledge of their subject but also an enjoyment of it, or what

Brecht would call 'pleasure in cognition'. Their values were to be intelligently humane and generous spirited. A two-member team comprising Mian Rabnawaz (M.A II) and Almeera Iftekhar (M.A I) took part in the competition hosted by the Lahore College of Arts and Sciences (LACAS). This year the competition was titled “I touch the day/ I taste the light/I remember”. Ten teams from various esteemed institutions all over Lahore entered this competition and read poems by renowned English poets. Almeera Iftikhar bagged third prize for the recitation of the poem “Insomniac” by Sylvia Plath. The event was judged by Ms. Ayesha F. Barque, Mrs. Kausar Sheikh and Ms. Laila Rehman.

The publication of

Dream Seekers – an

annual newsletter – is

a source of great pride

for the Department of

English. It is published

not only to review the

significant activities

h e l d i n t h e

department during

the calendar year, but

also to record some of

the dreams that the

faculty and students

were able to realize.

Note

Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.- Rumi

Pakistani Poetry in English makes Headway in Canada

rdEnglish Department wins 3 Position in Poetry Competition

Patron: Dr. Amra Raza, Chair EnglishEditor: Amna Umer Cheema Sub Editor: Mamoona

1

Ilona Yousaf and Blaine Marchand sharing their views on Pakistani

Poets writing in English.

Dr. Amra Raza, Chair English

1. Pakistani Poetry makes Headway in Canada: The Department of English celebrates with the guest editors Ilona Yousaf and Blaine Marchand the special issue of 'Vallum' featuring 26 Pakistani poets writing in English.

rd2. English Department wins 3 position in Poetry Competition: Almeera Iftekhar (M.A I)

ndwins third prize in the 22 annual 'Sirajuddin Poetry Recitation Competition'.

3. Dr. Amra Raza receives Gold Medals: Tehreek-e-Istehkam-e-Pakistan Council and Frogh-e-Taleem honour Dr. Amra Raza, Department Chair, with gold medals for her outstanding academic achievements.

4. Launch of Athar Tahir's Poetry Collection 'A Gift of Possession': Renowned writers, critics and academicians gather together for an appraisal of the creative genius of the acclaimed poet, painter and art critic.

5. A Shadab Voice of the Poetic: Shadab Zeest Hashmi, a celebrated fresh voice, reads Ghazals and Qasidas from her latest poetic collection 'Kohl and Chalk'.

6. LUMS Professor speaks on French Literature: Dr. Aamir Khan, Associate Professor of Marketing at LUMS, gives interesting insights into the presence of the author and the art of narration in French literature.

7. Iqbal Day Celebrations: The Department of English lauded the life and works of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his birth anniversary.

8. Welcome New Students!: The M.A II students arrange an orientation session and welcome for the new entrants to the M.A programme.

9. Fun at the Department Charity Fundraiser: Students have a fun-filled time on the Department premises.

10. Dr. Amra Raza Chairs South Asian Literature session at Social Sciences Conference: Dr. Raza chairs the second session of First Annual Conference on Social Sciences at LSE.

11. Ms. Ayesha F. Barque presents paper in SPELT Conference: Ms. Ayesha Fatima Barque, Assistant Professor, presented a paper titled

th'Language and Conditioning' at the 28 SPELT International Conference 2012.

12. Interesting Facts about the Journal of Research: Archival history of The Journal of Research surfaces.

13. Travel Writing and Arabic Literature Courses introduced in M.Phil: This year for the first time the M.Phil students are offered two new optional courses – Travel Writing and Arabic Literature, which explore the thematic and stylistic diversity of the respective genres.

14. S o f i z a r o f f e r s J o b P l a c e m e n t Opportunities: Content Writing is a promising career for passionate writers.

15. On-Campus Counseling Services: The University of the Punjab provides free counseling services to university students.

16. Department library computerized: The English Department library has computerized its M.Phil, ELT and Linguistics books for an efficient search of valuable resource material.

The Tehreek-a-Istehqam-e-Pakistan Council has ordained an accolade titled the Quaid–e-Azam Gold Medal Award to acknowledge people having considerable social, economic or academic services to their credit. Dr. Amra Raza, Chairperson English Department has recently been awarded this medal on the basis of her services in the educational sector. She has also received the Frogh-e-Taleem Gold Medal from the Provincial Minister Zakiya Shahnawaz for being an outstanding teacher.

Frogh-e-Taleem is an organization founded by Tayyab Virk for the promotion of quality education and committed teachers. Tehreek-a-Istehqam-e-Pakistan Council is a welfare organization and mobilizes people by creating awareness regarding the need to practice social welfare. It organizes activities such as setting up free medical camps in shantytowns, conducting seminars, conferences and walks to raise awareness amongst the public regarding blood donation, providing financial support for deserving students and raising its voice for the prohibition of narcotic drugs.

The Department of English in collaboration with the Pakistan poet, author, translator and calligrapher Muhammad Athar

Academy of Letters (PAL) hosted the launch of the renowned Tahir's book 'The Gift of Possession' on January 20, 2013.

Renowned writers, critics and academicians including Faryal

Gohar, Prof Razi Abedi, Ms. Ayesha F. Barque, Prof Navid

Shahzad, Mr. John Proctor, Ms. Bushra Naqi and Dr. Amra Raza

spoke about the enriching experience of the book on the

occasion. The poet shared some of his experiences and

memories as a sensitive art critic and a painter with the

audience. Later, Chairman (PAL) Mr. Abdul Hameed also

presented a set of books to the Department. A large number of

literary figures, teachers and students attended the book-

launching ceremony.

Dr. Amra Raza receives Gold Medals

stOn 1 of March, 2013 Shadab Zeest Hashmi, one of the the department for a mellifluous reading from her recent acclaimed fresh voices in Pakistani poetry in English, visited collection of poems titled 'Kohl and Chalk' (2013). The

collection celebrates the culture of Pakistan, its political history and the discordant present. Among poems of varied styles and lengths, Ms. Hashmi recited her choicest selection of Ghazals and Qasidas from both her collections 'Kohl and Chalk' and 'Baker of Tarifa', which goes back to the glorious days of Muslim rule in Spain. While answering questions, she was of the view that it is good to be accurate with facts, however, fictional elements make facts more comprehensible. Hashmi explained that for her the creative process was based on two steps: first, an invocation of the muse and secondly, the artist in her then revisits her work as an editor and cuts it to shape, without being sympathetic. During the session, the faculty and students were all ears to the lyrical renditions by the poet.

A Shadab Voice of the Poetic

When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream. Paulo Coelho

2

Dr. Raza, receiving the Gold Medal from the Chairman of Tehreek-A-

Istehkam-E-Pakistan Council.

Faculty and guests, posing at the book launch of M. Athar Tahir's new collection of poems The Gift of Possession.

The distinguished poet, Shadab Zeest Hashmi

Launch of Athar Tahir's Poetry Collection 'The Gift of Possession'

3

To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first. - William Shakespeare

Celebrating Poets and Poetry Bilingual

(From Kohl and Chalk)

By Shadab Zeest Hashmi

In the butcher's window

There were tongues

Marinating in oils

& auspicious herbs

I said

That one with the rainbow

& if I may have two

Give me that other

That many-textured one

Crisp & tight & sublime

Word

(From The Gift of Possession)

By Athar Tahir

What is a word?

A mass of marks

Letters fashioned into a horse, a face, a bird

A rhythm of connections, tasks

A scream of shapes

Another form of knowing

Gentle undulations, a silhouette drapes

A bleeding

Sap sent up the stem, node, bud, blossom

Full spread of the flower and despite a million

Variations, in some

Sponsors slow or sudden rebellion

The shadow that lives in the stone

The sun entices out

To dance shapes around the stone

Till the day coils on and out

Letter(From The Gift of Possession)By Athar Tahir

What is a letter?The outline filled inLike the moon on the fourteenth, or betterStill the emptiness outside the crescent's fin

The line of the windswept coastThe edge of the reed-pen's cutA prayer-flag fluttering on a postAn upside-down roof of a hut

It is itself, solitary, not aloneEqual among others, with a roleA position, a toneGiving, giving in, to a syllable, a whole

A wild weedWith smooth or serrated bladeWaiting for relevance, the needFor context that will not fade

Supple like tapioca

Fineedged like a prince's dagger

& reversible

Like a damask sash

& grooved like the pit

Of a peach

Please

He filled my greedy mouth

With two

Half-tongues

On July 5, 2012 the Department of English in collaboration with the Department of French hosted a literary talk on French literature by Dr. Aamir Khan, Associate Professor of Marketing at LUMS. The talk focused on “The Author is Dead: Meaning and Interpretation of French

th, th thLiterature in the 17 18 and 19 Century”. The talk was attended by the faculty and students of both the departments. The role of first person

thnarration was discussed in the 18 century novel including memoir novels such as Manon Lescaut and La Religieuse and the epistolary novel Liaisons Dangereuse. The evolution of third person narration was highlighted with reference to Stendhal's Le Rouge et Le Noir. The discussion pertained to how the narrative structure of the novel both constrains and allows the novelist to experiment. Once the work of art is complete, it is the reader who then applies interpretations and gives the text continued life.

LUMS Professor speaks on French Literature

If you can't do great things, do small things in a great way. Napoleon Hill

The Department of English Language and Literature arranged a

special programme to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr.

Allama Muhammad Iqbal on November 9, 2012. The programme

commenced with the recitation from the Holy Quran by Usman

Dar (M.A II) and a brief introduction to Allama Iqbal's life and

works by Amina Khan (M.A II). It was followed by M.A Part II

student Saasha Asif's musical rendition of Iqbal's Gasoo-e-

Tabdaar. Later, senior student Irshadullah recited Ye Rooh-e-Arzi

Aadam ka Istaqbaal Karti He. The reading of Shikwa Jawab-e-

Shikwa engaged the audience with its powerful argumentation.

Ms. Ayesha Fatima Barque, Assistant Professor, gave an insight

into Iqbal's concept of Nafs with reference to his celebrated work

'Reconstruction of Thought in Islam'. M.A. Part I students – Narjis

Rubab, Maryam Khan, Rabia Ramzan and Anam Sajjid read some

interesting extracts from Iqbal's personal letters in order to shed

light on Iqbal's personal life. Muqaal-e-Maae Ibles-o-Jibreel was

vividly presented through a mime by Muhammad Ahmad

Mahmood, Maryam Siddique and Khadija Bukhari and Nida

Shahid. Mr. Khurshid Alam, Lecturer, threw light on Iqbal's

'Concept of God and the Meaning of Prayer'. Iqbal's dua was read

by Mrs. Iffat Sayeed, Assistant Professor. In her closing remarks,

Chairperson Dr. Amra Raza shared her childhood association and

meetings with Dr. Annemarie Schimmel (one of the foremost

Western scholars on Iqbal). She concluded that the best way to

celebrate Iqbal's birth anniversary was through 'living Iqbal and

his Concepts'.

On March 13, 2013 the M.A students organized a charity

fundraiser on the Department premises for a fun-filled time

at the beginning of the spring season. Different stalls were

set up – sumptuous homemade food items were on sale,

games of luck and skill attracted many, face painting,

jewelry and accessories were inviting for female students.

The students, clad in colourful attire, thoroughly enjoyed

the amusement. As an annual ritual, the students utilize the

money generated from the funfair for community service.

Dr. Aamir Khan expressing his views on the presence of the Author in French Literature.

Iqbal Day Celebrations

The English Department commemmorates the Poet of the East on the 9th of November, 2012.

4

Ms. Samra Soomro and Students having a good time at the Funfair.

Fun at the Department Charity Fundraiser

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people. Theodore Roosevelt

The First Annual Conference on Social Sciences took place at th stthe Lahore School of Economics on Feb, 28 –March 1 ,

2013. Renowned scholars, academicians and researchers

took part in this conference. The first day of the conference thi.e. 28 March 2013 focused on 'Language, Literature, and

Education: South Asian Context”. Dr. Amra Raza, Chairperson

Department of English Language and Literature, Punjab

University chaired the second session of the day 'South

Asian Literature'. Dr. Waseem Anwar, Ms. Rumessa Naqvi

and Dr. Nukhbah Taj Langah were the presenters for this

session. They presented their papers on 'Pakistani Creative

Writing in English Today: Tracing the Tradition, Embracing

the Emerging', “'The Other Question': A Study of the

Marginalized Gender in Girish Karnad's Hayavadanna' and

“'Ambivalence' in the works of contemporary South Asian

writers”, respectively.

Dr. Amra Raza Chairs South Asian Literature session at Social Sciences Conference

Ms. Ayesha Fatima Barque, Assistant

Professor, presented a paper titled th'Language and Conditioning' at the 28

SPELT International Conference 2012.

Ms. Ayesha Fatima Barque presents paper in SPELT Conference

The Journal of Research (Humanities) is an academic research journal published by the

Department of English, University of the Punjab. It was initiated in January 1966. At that time,

the Editorial Board of the Journal consisted of the Heads of various departments and the other

learned professors. Professor Sirajuddin (the first Head of the English Department and

Professor Emeritus) was the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal from its very inception. In January

1969, the journal published a voluminous Ghalib Number comprising approximately 400 pages.

The Iqbal Number was published in 1977-78, and in July 1981, a special edition was presented in thconnection with the beginning of the 15 A. H. Initially, the journal was biannual, however, now

it is published in January every year by the Department. The Journal has been recently updated

with a revised and improved layout and its editorial committee includes many renown

national/international scholars.

(For this piece of archival information about the journal, we are highly indebted to Dr. Zahid

Munir Aamir Professor/Chairperson Zafar Ali Khan Chair, Department of Urdu, Oriental College,

University of the Punjab, Lahore.)

Interesting facts about the Journal of Research (Humanities)

5

Dr. Amra Raza receiving a token of appreciation at the first annual Social Sciences conference at LSE.

On October 1st, 2012 the M.A II students arranged an orientation session and welcome for the new students. The programme began with an exciting multimedia introduction to the department. It was followed by a brief talk by the members of the Orientation committee – Mr. Khurshid Alam, Ms, Ayesha Fatima Barque and Mrs. Amna Umer Cheema – about hostel issues, personal grooming, academic challenges and departmental norms. Later, the senior students shared some of their memorable experiences with the new entrants. The faculty and students thoroughly enjoyed a slide show of eventful pictures and humorous dramatic performances rendered by senior students.

Welcome New Students!

This year for the very first time, the M. Phil comprehensive introduction to the thematic

students were offered two new optional and stylistic diversity of different travel

courses on Travel Writing and Arabic writers.

Literature. The Arabic Literature course introduces

The Travel Writing course contents were some representative literary works across

selected by Mrs. Shireen Rahim, Assistant Middle East, from Iran to Morocco. The

Professor, so as to introduce students to the writings focus on the social and psychological

fluidity of the genre in its representation of issues prevalent in the region. Mrs. Zareena

place, people and culture. Selected Saeed, Assistant Professor, designed this th threadings from a range of 19 and 20 course.

century travel texts provides the students a

Travel Writing and Arabic Literature Courses introduced in M.Phil

thOn 11 April, 2013 Sofizar Constellation CK creative team

comprising Mehwish, Asma and Asim visited the Department to

offer job placement opportunities to students. They focused on

motivating young writers to take up content writing as a career.

They highlighted the power of persuasive writing in the field of

internet marketing. In this regard, Mehwish, the HR head,

explained the hiring process, which involves home-based and on

the spot assignments along with a formal interview. The career

growth of a content writer begins from being an editor/trainer to

a team-leader and then climbing up to the post of a manager.

Sofizar Constellation CK, founded by Zafar Khan in 2004, deals in

search engine optimization and internet marketing. It is pursuing

a rapid growth path due to its innovative business plans.

The Clinical psychologist and Student Counselor at the Punjab

University Student Counseling and Assessment Services Centre,

Sadia Shahzeb delivered a presentation on student counseling

services on April 11, 2013. She identified common psychological

problems faced by students such as depression, disinterestedness

and anxiety. Further, Ms. Shahzeb motivated students to

acknowledge such issues in and around them, and seek counseling to

maintain a healthy life. She also informed the students that their

information is kept confidential and not shared without their

consent. Besides, the counseling services are offered free of cost to

university students.

On Campus Student Counseling

To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan; but also believe. Anatole France

6

The English Department faculty with the Sofizar creative team.

Student Councelor Ms. Sadia Shahzeb with faculty members.

Commemorating Founder`s Day

The Department of English

Language and Literature

c e l e b r a t e d t h e b i r t h

anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam

on 25th December, 2012. In this

connection, the Quaid`s letters

and interviews were shared

with the audience. Also, a mime was presented to throw

light on the political and private life of the Father of the

nation.

Sofizar offers Job Placement Opportunities

made by the University in 2012 show that the academia here

will always appreciate and welcome budding talent, for which I

owe a huge debt to my teachers in the Department itself, who Ms.Mamoona and Ms. Samra Soomro recognized it, honed it, and now have given me an opportunity joined the department as Lecturers this to pass it on. As a student here I always felt that an open and year. They have an M.Phil. degree in constructive environment can only be provided to the students English Literature from this department if the professionals working in that place have maintained such and have also been M.A. students of this an environment amongst themselves. As a teacher I have found department. We welcome these bright it to be very true. The welcoming and supporting hands from young scholars. the Chairperson to the faculty, is an essence of this Department

Ms. Samra Soomro talks about her that I and other lecturers inducted with me cherish the most. I

strong bond with the Department: have joined here in the hope of maintaining and even daring to

further the standards of this Department, which are based As an eager student who has spent almost six years in the upon honesty to one's work and to the students, in an order to Department of English Language and Literature I have always further the environment that is constructive and enlightening, found this place to be one for merit. Against all perceptions of passionate about its work and disciplined at the same time, and bias across provinces I, having a domicile of Sindh, have been puts its trust in itself and in the hard work of its students, hoping acknowledged as a top student and am now working as a thus to carry the legacy forwards . Lecturer in the University of the Punjab. The appointments

7

Hope is a waking dream. ― Aristotle

Once you get in the English Department, it is the beginning of an interminable bond that you hold and cherish

for the rest of your life. 2012 was an eventful year for me as it reshaped my ties with the Department. The year

left me with a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment as I completed my M. Phil degree and joined the

Department as lecturer. I take it as an advantage that in the beginning of my regular career in teaching I am

placed at such a prestigious institution. As a faculty member, I feel that the Department, by maintaining its

uncompromised academic standards, keeps one's professional integrity intact. Furthermore, to have a serious

occupation with Literature (as is in vogue in the Department) and through this engagement take part in

moulding youngsters into reasonable, responsible and thinking individuals is a great source of delight and

achievement for me as a teacher. I feel I still have a long way to go and enrich myself while passing on the spirit

of the subject to my students.

Ms. Mamoona expresses her feelings of accomplishment on joining the Department:

Welcome New Faculty!

Mr. Liaqat Ali, Assistant Controller, Department of English, performed Hajj in 2012. He feels

privileged to have made the obligatory pilgrimage to the Holy Ka'aba. Through this special way

of worshipping God and performing all the rituals of Hajj, he has had a soul-satisfying

experience, which will stay with him for ever.

Mr. Liaqat Ali performs Hajj

Career Counseling and Job Placement Services

Representatives from the Institute for Career and Personal Development

The Department of English was recently visited by the Representatives of the Institute for Career and Personal Development (ICPD ).

They offered career counseling and job placement services to all those students who wish to pursue a successful career. During the

presentation, the representative also informed the students about the short term programme being offer in summer this year, to

have some of the essential skills such as critical thinking, business and analytical writing. The institute for career and personal

development helps individuals to become outstanding professionals in an organization

Common sense is the genius of humanity. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

8

Mr. Rizwan Akhtar receives a Doctorate in English

The Department welcomes Mr. Rizwan Akhtar, Lecturer,

back to Lahore after successfully completing his PhD

from the University of Essex, UK.

Mr. Akhtar throws light on his dynamic research

experience there:

In October, 2008 I went to the University of Essex, UK for

my PhD in Literature. Prior to applying and arriving in

the UK I had doubts and misconceptions about Western

culture not to speak of the clichés and stereotypes I am

fed with here in Pakistan while moving on with life.

Universities in the UK are very open-minded and

scholars and students enjoy freedom. Surprisingly, I did

not have any cultural shock; today I feel that my roots

are deracinated. I stayed in England, and visited many and sought escape in creative writing. I published poems other parts of Europe, and became exposed to a variety in many UK magazines and in other parts of world, and of culture although European life, as I found, is a mixture also have an entry in Bloodaxe anthology. Essex University of both beauty and boredom. In my opinion one who is has a very vibrant Creative Writing outfit; Caribbean poet able to synthesize these two dimensions becomes a Laureate Derek Walcott remained there for three years moderate success story. I read postcolonial literature, and I have had the honour of being his student. I term it as now almost a vogue, but hold it a good choice, keeping my “peak moment”. I met many contemporary writers in mind the debates and narratives which over the years and shared their enthusiasm for a global intellectual have become a part of a typical postcolonial ethos. The community. Today, I feel that we not only cross a topic of my PhD thesis runs as 'Resistance and Defiance geographical border but a mental border too; we carry of Patriarchy: A Study of Anita Desai's Female borders and boundaries in mind. English/ European Characters as Fictional Counterparts to Hindu Mythical space(s) are now part of my mental topography. Women and Cultural Traditions'. Writing a PhD thesis is Simultaneously, one's mental mappings become imbued a challenging experience but at times it gets on one's with imaginative destinations and exotic locations; we nerves. So, I did not limit myself to academic writing leave so that one day we come back.

staring at a lonely skyFlawed

crows assemble for a lethargic rhymeI peep back at words and times left in English climes

a part of the city is versed, rest is a doggerelnext time I will see if they are worth relying

of skewed mettle, creaking bridges, cracking roadshere a day pulsates in stubborn hours

evenings eject dusty remains on dyed whiskers lip linessilence barks at the tindery disc of sun

and wavering windscreens winds yelp at skins slurred by twilight clustering for shape

honking at mauled turns messed-up signstempt birds to fuzzy destinations

cruise towards jarring endings.on grass-giving earth a shadow is a dot of doubt

in verandas there is always an old man By Dr. Rizwan Akhtar

Ph.D Archives

9

All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream. - Edgar Allan Poe

Mrs. Robeena Tahir receives a Doctorate in English

Mrs. Robeena Tahir has successfully completed her

Ph.D in English from the University of the Punjab. Her

dissertation is titled “A Study of Historical Fiction of

Women Writers of the Subcontinent: a Gendered

Perspective”.

Mrs. Robeena Tahir defending her Doctoral thesis.

Mrs. Saman Saif, Assistant

Professor, completes her Ph.D

in English from the University

of the Punjab. Her thesis is

titled “Time and Metaphysics in

the Fiction of Qurat-ul-Ain

Hyder”.

Mrs. Saman Saif completes Ph.D in English

Mrs. Amna Umer Cheema, Assistant Professor Department of English PU, has been granted admission in the Ph.D programme at University of Leeds, United Kingdom. She has also been re-elected Executive member of the Academic Staff Association (ASA) for the year 2013. She has earned the second highest votes among female candidates.

Mrs.Amna Umer Cheema ready to embark on a Ph. D from University of Leeds, UK.

Mr. Khurshid Alam, lecturer,

enrolled in the PhD in English

programme in 2012. He relates his

experience as a PhD scholar:

Seeking admission to the PhD

programme at the Department of

English was a challenging experience. I had mixed feelings of

happiness and fear. I felt elated at the idea of being a regular,

full time student again. But on the day of the written test, I

realized how miserable the students were when they were

preparing for the final examination. I tried to console myself

saying, 'Don't worry. This is no big deal. You will be OK.' But my

heartbeat increased with every passing moment. When the

ordeal was over, I had to prepare myself for another bigger

trial yet to come. I had to defend my research proposal.

On the appointed day, I felt like a sacrificial goat moving

unwillingly to the altar. At about 3p.m, Ilyas came to my office

to tell me that I was the first to appear for the interview. Going

towards the Chairperson's office, I started pondering over my

research proposal. And the more I thought over it, the more

absurd it appeared to me. At last, I sought permission and

entered the office. Four renowned scholars sitting

comfortably in their chairs, with shining glasses on their

noses, I felt like a miserable fool who had lost his way in some

unknown region. Had Adam not transgressed the will of God,

I would have been saved from this interview! Dr. Raza looked

through her glasses and politely asked me to sit down. And

then the formal session started. The Board members asked

me various questions regarding my proposal which I tried to

answer to the best of my knowledge. They thoroughly

reviewed my proposal and suggested some changes.

Although they seemed very encouraging, yet I had no idea of

the outcome of the whole process. After the interview, I had a

cup of tea with three spoons full of sugar because my brain

had consumed more glucose than I had estimated. And the

result is that today I am writing this piece thanking my God for

granting an opportunity to be a beggar at the gates of

knowledge.

Mr. Khurshid Alam on the Ph.D Journey

Ms. Ayesha F. Barque, A s s i s t a n t P r o f e s s o r Department of English PU,is pursuing her Ph.D at the Department.

Ms.Mariam Zia pursues her Ph. D in Critical Theory at University of Sussex, Uk

Ms. Ayesha F. Barque on her way to Ph.D

Ms. Mariam Zia, Lecturer Department of English PU, is currently working on her Ph. D thesis at University of Sussex, UK.

Try not to be a man of success but a man of value – Albert Einstein

10

The English Department library now has computerized its M.Phil, English Language Teaching and Linguistics books.

Students can efficiently locate resource material through the electronic database. This will save time for more reading

and lead to more research. The library staff is also working earnestly to complete the data-bank of the large reservoir

of M.A books.

Mrs. Ammara Mohsin, Librarian, Muhammad Riaz, Muhammad Najabat, Hasan Ahmad and Rafaqat Ali

Department Library Computerized

M.Phil Archives

Prattling AboutM.Phil Batch 2012-2014

The first day at school is always frightening and as you grow up you tend to laugh reminiscing about your first day. My first day in Punjab University was a bit different. I came, I saw and then I left. Why did I leave, well it was because it was not the first day. The efficient being I am, I came a bit early to resume my studies. But still that doesn't make me a nerd or does it?My second first day at English Department had its share of surprises. I came, I saw and I got worried. I did not dare enter my classroom. I paced in its adjacent corridor a hundred times (metaphorically of course). While I was pacing around, I imagined how weird I might seem while walking around in this corridor and not entering my legit classroom. This weirdness became weirder when my usual unimaginative brain sneered at my worry by conjuring a vivid image that I look like a worried father pacing outside a delivery room. Now this was a horrid thought how reproductive it might seem. The reason why I couldn't dare enter my classroom was that there were no boys in the class. I was destined or doomed to be the only boy. Trust me however fantastical it maybe to a boy's imagination but to be the only boy in the class it is intimidating (at least at first). Anyways as one enters a cold shower in winter, I entered my classroom and sat in the middle of a single file of seats arranged in a U-formation. This was ominous because the chirpy sounds which girls make when they talk to one another were hushed by my sudden entrance. And now I came, I saw, I sat and there was silence. I was intrusion personified and there was silence everywhere. For first time I realized that how poets can squeeze centuries in a moment, because those god-knows-how-many moments were 'unsurpassable'. You might be thinking what did I do, did I break the ice? No that is so not me, did my class fellows initiate a conversation with me or started to talk to one another ignoring me- Mr. Intrusion personified, well NO, that is so not them. They maintained their silent vigil and made me realize that I am not welcome. In Hell every person has something to do (read Dante's Divine Comedy if you don't believe me). So like Sisyphus who kills his time by rolling a stone up a mountain, like Atlas who is to carry the world on its shoulders till Zeus and

the Olympians forgive and welcome him, I took out my notebook, and started writing this piece. And while I am writing this elaborate archival piece, the chirping has resumed and someone is talking about a writer whom I've read. So, I break my nib here, and am about to jump in a conversation which I can comfortably steer wherever I want it to go. You don't get this opportunity every now and then. So, this is me about to stop writing about his second first day at the English

Muhammad Umer

Student: Samra SoomroSupervisor: Zareena SaeedThesis: Oneric Structure and Historicity in Without Dreams by Shahbano Bilgrami and Noor: A novel by Sorayya Khan

Student: Atika IsrarSupervisor: Zareena SaeedThesis: A Study of Polyphonic Patterns as Unifying Narrative Technique in the Sporadic Structure of Julio Cortazar's Novel Hopskotch

Student: Amna KhalidSupervisor: Ayesha F. BarqueThesis: A Pragmatic Study of Performing Gender Language in Kamila Shamsie's Broken Verses

Student: Mahrukh Bokhari Supervisor: Zareena Saeed Thesis: Otherness of the Other in an Englishness of Hanif Kureishi

Student: Ayesha Khalid Supervisor: Dr. Amra Raza Thesis: The World of Harry Potter in the Light of Jungian Archetypes

Student: Socrat Aman Rana Supervisor: Shireen Rahim Thesis: Treatment of Time in Munro`s Too Much Happiness

M. Phil Thesis Completed

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Blending the Co-curricular with the Curricular

As we sow so shall we reap A busy lot of MA I (Morning) students on

Plantation Day in the Department.

MA I (Replica) students in the Laptop Distribution Ceremony.

MA I (Morning) students represent the Punjabi village hierarchy on Cultural Day.

Mrs. Zareena Saeed with the M.A Part I (Replica ) students.

To live is rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. Oscar Wilde

Gay and gaudy M.A II (Replica) on Ethnic Day in the Department MA II (Replica) students on Welcome Party for their juniors

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Learning while having fun

M.A Part II (Morning) students proudly display colours of ethnicity.

M.A I (Replica) students celebrate their favourite Literary Personality Day.

MA I (morning) students clustering around Dr. Amra Raza after their maiden enactment of Sophocle`s Oedipus Rex.

M.A Part II (Replica) students posing with Shan and Iftikhar Ahmed on the set of Geo Shaan Se programme.

Everything you can imagine is real. Pablo Picasso

M.A II (Replica) Laptop Achievers MA II (Replica) students posing with Mrs. Zareena Saeed & Mrs. Shireen Rahim on Cultural Day

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Celebrating togetherness

Time to pose with the acolade Winners of GRAMREC 2013 Poetry Recitation Competition with Dr. Raza, Mrs. Zareena Saeed and

Mrs. Shireen Raheem.

M.A II students gathered together for Iqbal Day celebrations

A mime to commemorate Quaid-e-Azam Day on December 25, 2012.

M.A Part II (Morning) students and Faculty on Literary Personality Day.

Students enjoying a chilly summer with Mr. Khurshid Alam at the Muree hill station.

M.A II students posing outside the Murree resort.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Mae West

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Completed M.A. Research Papers (Session 2010-2012)

Sr.No. Name of the Students Session Title Name of the Supervisor

Re-exploring the Family Myth in Kamila Shamsie's Salt and Saffron1 Sehrish Firdous 2010-2012 Dr. Amra Raza

2 Mehreen Baloch Base Vs Superstructure in Shahid Nadeem's Kala Meda Bhes 2010-2012 Dr. Amra Raza

3 Ghania Safdar 2010-2012 Socio-economic Dynamics in In Other Rooms Other Wonder's by Daniyal Mueenuddin

Dr. Amra Raza

4 Areej Shahid 2010-2012 The Diary of a Social Butterfly as a Political Satire Zareena Saeed

5 Javeria Azam 2010-2012 Paradox between the Claims of Reverence for Women and Degrading Reality Zareena Saeed

6 Sara Idrees 2010-2012 Life of the “Other” in A Thousand Splendid Suns Zareena Saeed

7 Zonara Sajid 2010-2012 Time Split in Anita Desai's The Village by the Sea Zareena Saeed

8 Zeenish Liaqat 2010-2012 A Study of Women's Positioning in Khalid Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns Zareena Saeed

Muhammad Usman Ali Virk 9 The Theme of Megalomania in A case of Exploding Mangoes by Muhammad Hanif2010-2012 Shireen Rahim The Autobiographical Element in Working with Sharks by Fouzia Saeed10 Maliha Hamdani 2010-2012 Shireen Rahim

11 Farwa Pervaiz 2010-2012 The Theme of Isolation in Nadeem Aslam's Maps for Lost Lovers Shireen Rahim

12 Maneeba Naeem 2010-2012 The Portrayal of Female Characters in 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khalid Hosseini

13 The Significance of Peripheral Characters in Dreams of Tipu Sultan by Girish Karnad

Shireen Rahim

Shireen Rahim Nida Najeeb 2010-2012

14 2010-2012Naila Naseer-ud-Din Transgression as a Terrain for Elaborating Selfhood in The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi

Prof. K.M Siddiqui

Sara Chaudhary 15 2010-2012 The Positive Assimilation Suggested by the Diaspora Literature in Home Boy by H.M. Naqvi

Prof. K.M Siddiqui

16 Hafiza Ayesha Zafar 2010-2012 A Critique on the Dynamics of Multiculturalism (Hanif Kureishi) Prof. K.M Siddiqui

17 Lala Rukh 2010-2012 Symbolic Representation of Woman as Hunter/Hunted in Shikari by Sahar Rizvi Prof. K.M Siddiqui

18 Zaheer-ud-Din Babar 2010-2012 A Marxist Reading of Modern Soap by Javed Amir Prof. K.M Siddiqui

19 Khalila Azhar 2010-2012 Inter-faith Dialogue : A Diplomatic Strategy in M. Hanif – Our Lady of Alice Bhatti

Iffat Sayeed

20 Sabiha Iqbal 2010-2012 Disruptions as Means of Destruction Rather than Construction in James Joyce Iffat Sayeed

21 Ayesha Javaid 2010-2012 Dichotomy Between Emancipated Womanhood and Traditional Motherhood Iffat Sayeed

22 Rushaan Hamid 2010-2012 Adopting Alter Egos as a Means to Recover Identity in Hanif Kureishi's The Buddha of Suburbia

Iffat Sayeed

23 Saba Hameed 2010-2012 Ambivalence and Identity Crisis as well in Mohsin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Iffat Sayeed

24 Sana Ajmal 2010-2012 Exploration of Effects of Imperialism on Artistic Expression in Anita Desai's In Custody

Ayesha F. Barque

25 Inam ul Haq 2010-2012 Mythic Interpretations in Girish Karnad's Naga Mandala Ayesha F. Barque

26 Nazish Sameen 2010-2012 The Use of Mass Media in Zia's Regime in Constructing the Subjectivity of the Citizen in A Case of Exploding Mangoes

Ayesha F. Barque

27 Nabila Jabin 2010-2012 Negotiation of Gender Space in The Young Wife and Other Short Stories Ayesha F. Barque

28 Iqra Ajmal 2010-2012 Ayesha F. Barque Mystical Stages in Salar's journey in Pir-e-Kamil The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed

29 Aleena Farooq 2010-2012 Ayesha F. Barque Exploring the Three Modes of Writing in The Ordinary Persons Guide to Empire

30 Tehmina Suhail 2010-2012 Social Coherence Within the Diasporic Community and its Ties to Ancestral Lands in The Saffron Kitchen

Shamaila Dodhy

Kanwal Yaqub 31 2010-2012 Monsoon a Symbol of Unpredictability in Season of the Rainbirds Shamaila Dodhy

32 Sidra Amjad 2010-2012 Social Dynamics Art or War in Noor Shamaila Dodhy

33 Sara Arif 2010-2012 Cultural Blindness and Manipulation of Islamic Ideology in The Holy Woman Shamaila Dodhy

34 Rabbia Naseer 2010-2012 The Criticism of Lack of Circumspect in Herta Muller's The Land of Green Plums Shamaila Dodhy

35 Zarnab Ellahi 2010-2012 Spirituality – A way to Human Dignity in Our Lady of Alice Bhatti Shamaila Dodhy

36 Ayesha Umber 2010-2012 Time Consciousness in Zulfiqar Ghose's The Murder of Aziz Khan Amna Umer

37 Kanza Qayyum 2010-2012 Suppression – Empowerment Dynamics in Tehmina Durrani's Blasphemy Amna Umer

38 Ayesha Aslam 2010-2012 Power Dynamics in My Feudal Lord Amna Umer

39 Asma Muzafar 2010-2012 Redemption through Unlearning in Khalid Hosseini's The Kite Runner Amna Umer

40 Mubarra Hassan 2010-2012 Overpowering Influence of Society on an Individual in Mohsin Hamid's Moth Smoke Amna Umer

Ayesha Shafiq 41 2010-2012 Absurdity of War in Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsi Khurshid Alam

42 Sajeel Anjum Roofi 2010-2012 Khurshid Alam Application of Cartesian Philosophy on the Nameless Protagonist of Surfacing by Margaret Atwood

43 Hafiza Syeda Mehwish 2010-2012 Distortion of the Image of Islam in Zoha Muhsen's Sold. Khurshid Alam

44 Maryam Jamshed 2010-2012 Fire imagery – A Comparison of the Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy and Fire on the Mountain by Anita Desai

Khurshid Alam

45 Zunaira Yousaf 2010-2012 Obliteration through Culture and Social Order in Zulfiqar Ghose's The Murder of Aziz Khan

Khurshid Alam

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·We all are human in form, but to be human at heart is something different. Tehreem Hamid

·Never give up till your last attempt and never say it is your last attempt till you succeed. Warda Abbas

·The colossal truth of life is reasoning. Maida Fatima

·Living in the present is better than roaming in the shadows of the past. Maryam Fayyaz

·It is our response to ground realities which makes our life difficult or easy. Rai Abad

·The process of fulfillment is more meaningful than fulfillment itself. Anam Rasheed

·Experience is not what you live or receive from others, but what you live and relive with the assistance of memory. Nida Huma

·At times I get cynical, for the rest I resist to be. Irshad Ullah

·It is easy to live with your follies, but not with your regrets. Iram Israr

·To yearn for the difficult, to be weary of what is being offered, is precisely human nature. Saima Qayyum

·It is a fact that life plays its jokes on us, the thing to do is to learn how to enjoy them. Asfa Kanwal

·When the Sun rises, its day/ When the Moon rises, its night/ When it rains, it pours/ Is life worth anymore? Anil Samuel

·Satisfaction is not what we have, but what we strive for. Sharafat Ali

·Life survives on change, so take every change as a challenge. Maryam Khan

·A genius is one who grows with the tradition and one day becomes a tradition himself. Muhammad Usman Dar

·Find the purpose for your existence, don't just spend your life, live it. Muhammad Ahmad

·One cannot find pearls of wisdom without diving into the sea of knowledge. Amna Afzal

·Be thankful to the mirror, it only reflects your appearance. Maryam Zulfiqar

·Don't let your individuality be usurped by anyone else, be what you are. Iqra Qamar

·Silence is a way to predict the unpredictable. Fatima Wajahat

·In illusions and uncertainty do we dwell and lead our lives to extinction. Iqra Kabir

·In darkness, the truth of life dawns upon us. Madeeha Manzoor

·Doubts about your convictions are not as dangerous as having convictions about your doubts. Saasha Asif

·The hardest thing in the world is to handle success. Ammara Saeed

·The more you try to interpret life, the more complex it becomes. Alishbah Afzal

·Do not count on others for help, be your own saviour. Muhammad Awais

·A society of lambs would only be governed by wolves. Zarwa Fatima

·Love that will not betray you, dismay you, or enslave you, will set you free. Maryam Siddique

·One does not get what one wants, one gets what one works for. Fatima Amin

·Difficulties only strengthen your character. Sadaf Ahmad

·A clear rejection is always better than a fake promise. Madiha Noor

·The thing that makes temptation difficult is when you can't find any. Saba Yaqoob

·Life is a conflict between thesis and anti-thesis. Sundas Rafique

·Depending on others will never make you independent. Tayyeba Pervaiz

·Never give up on principles. Noor Fatima

·Always Judge people according to their circumstances not your own. Saba Idris

·There is no such thing as unconditional love on earth except that of Parents. Maliha

·When you choose a road to travel on, do not ask for directions. Amina Khan

·A strong will is the key to success. Rab Nawaz

·One person's reality is an illusion for the other. Shehzadi Sundas Wafa

THE LIVED EXPERIENCE

M.A English Part II Session (2011-2013)

Dr. Amra Raza, Department Chair and faculty members with the MA Part II (Morning 2011-2013).

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E-mail: chairperson.english@pu.edu.pk website: www.pu.edu.pk

Dr. Amra Raza, Department Chair and faculty members with the MA Part II (Replica 2011-2013).